A Parasitic Bug Has Been Spotted Throughout Kentucky And Its Bite Can Be Deadly
By Andrea Limke|Published July 15, 2019
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Andrea Limke
Author
A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.
Bugs are a common occurence that we all come in contact with every single day. It’s probably best that we don’t actually realize how many of these nearly invisible insects make their way into our everyday lives, but there are some that are more alarming than others. There’s been quite a bit of talk about the “kissing bug,” properly known as the Triatomine Bug, because the parasite it may carry can be very dangerous. This potentially deadly parasitic bug has been spotted throughout Kentucky and here’s what you need to know about this creepy crawler.
The bugs pose a bigger threat in areas with poor housing conditions, but that doesn't mean they can't find their way into your home or yard, no matter where you live. Triatomines are potentially harmful to humans because they can carry a parasite that causes Chagas disease.
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Kissing Bugs are not common in our region, but reports suggest their population is growing.
If you happen to find one, do not squash it, as this can expose you to any parasites it may be carrying. Try to trap it in a container and follow the instructions on the CDC website, linked below.
Kissing Bugs feed on blood and often bite people on the face and near the mouth. A bite won’t necessarily infect you, as there are several factors that influence the transmission of the Chagas parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi). Obviously, the Kissing Bug must already be a carrier of the parasite when it bites you, and the parasite isn’t actually transmitted via bites; the Kissing Bug has to defecate on the bite site for the Chagas parasite to infect you.
These bugs are not typically found inside homes in the United States, as precautions have been taken to keep insects and predators out.
However, if they do make it inside, they prefer places where pets and/or humans sleep, including near mattresses and nightstands. They also can be found near wood piles, beneath porches, or near any rodent or animal nests.
While these insects are more commonly found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America, reports from the last few years show that that their numbers have grown all around the US. While there is no need to panic if you do happen to find one, you should still take precautions and know what to do if you come across a Kissing Bug.
If you come across a Triatomine Bug, follow the steps outlined on the CDC site, linked below. Have you seen one of these parasitic bugs? Share your experience with us in the comments!
For more information on the Triatomine Bug including identification and precautions, visit the CDC website here.
And if you’re not already creeped out by the bug, check out our creepy haunted road trip through Kentucky featured in a previous article here.
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